Softball

Softball Swept by Clark in NEWMAC Opener

Mar 27, 2010

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The MIT softball team
dropped a pair of games to Clark University, losing the opener,
6-0, before falling 13-2 in game two, in a New England
Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC)
doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Briggs Field. It was the
NEWMAC opener for the Engineers, who drop to 4-8 overall. Pitchers
Sarah Carter, Nicole Meuse and a stellar Clark defense combined to
limit the Cardinal and Gray to just two runs all day.

In game one, Clark (13-3, 3-1 NEWMAC) broke things open with a
five-run third and Carter kept MIT at bay, allowing just five
baserunners all game. Joanna Clark reached base twice and scored
both times while Darcey Kurashige-Elliott drove in a pair of runs
for the Cougars. Emily Creedon had a pair of hits for Tech in the
loss.

After three straight walks loaded the bases, Melissa Traft put
the visitors on the board with a sacrifice fly to score Clark.
Kurashige-Elliott then hit a single up the middle to plate two
more. Stefanie Kettenacker’s double brought home another run
and Chelsea Proulx added another RBI single.

MIT had a chance to put runs on the board in the home half of
the third, as Jenny Li hit a one-out triple over the
centerfielder’s head. However, Carter was able to retire the
final two batters, stranding Li 90 feet from home.

Carter went the distance, striking out three while allowing just
three hits and walking a pair. Jessica Iacobucci took the loss for
the Engineers, allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out
10.

In the second game, the Clark bats came alive early, pushing
across one run in the first and then tagging MIT starter Trinity
Leonard for seven runs in the next two innings. A pair of Tech
errors led to three runs in the second. Then, after walking the
bases loaded with one out in the third, Mel Melkonian hit a bases
clearing triple to left centerfield and scampered home on a poor
relay throw. The Cougars would add five more runs in the top of the
fifth before winning the shortened game, 13-2.

Meuse earned her fifth win of the year, working five innings and
allowing just the two runs on seven hits. Leonard took the loss for
MIT, surrendering eight runs over two and two-thirds.

Melkonian finished the day five-for-six with four runs and five
RBI. Li was a perfect three-for-three with a walk in two games
while Creedon had a team-high four hits.

The Engineers will look to bounce back next Friday, April 2 when
they host Wellesley for a NEWMAC double-header, beginning at 3:30
p.m. Clark will welcome in Springfield College on Friday for a pair
of games.